CultureJuly 13, 2026
kitsch
/kɪtʃ/
Definition
Art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowingly campy way.
Etymology
The word originated in mid-19th-century Munich, likely from the German verb 'kitschen,' meaning to 'collect trash' or 'scrape together.' It entered English to describe cheap, mass-produced items that mimic high art.
In the news
In the article, the term is used to describe Steven Spielberg’s latest film as an 'optimist blast of kitsch.' It highlights the film's embrace of a deliberately over-the-top, sentimental, or stylistic aesthetic.
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Read the full article ↗The Santa Barbara Independent